Elsie French McKinney

Reidsville - Mrs. Elsie French McKinney, 91, passed from this earth to her heavenly home on Thursday May 9, 2019. Her abiding faith in God’s mercy and assurance of salvation through Jesus Christ lifted the hearts of all those who cared for her during her declining health. The family will receive visitors Friday, May 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Wilkerson Funeral Home, 1909 Richardson Drive, Reidsville. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 18 at Wilkerson Funeral Home with Reverend Christy Clore presiding. The entombment will follow the service in Evergreen Memory Gardens. Elsie, the daughter of Zach Lafeyette French and Blanche Gibson Cobb French, was born April 29, 1928 in Brunswick County, Virginia. She married James Arnold McKinney Sr. January 29, 1947. She served as a teacher’s assistant in the Reidsville School system for 18 years before retiring. Elsie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and neighbor. Elsie loved gardening and was a member of Reidsville Garden Club. Orchids flourished under her care. Elsie’s home was often voted lawn of the month for her cultivation of blooming shrubs and flowers. Her great passion was fishing from the Sheraton Pier at Atlantic Beach, but her greatest joy was fishing from a boat in the Intracoastal Waterway with her husband and sons. Until her health declined, Elsie was an active member of First Presbyterian Church. She served as a church Deacon, on numerous committees in support of the Church’s ministry to others and enjoyed the fellowship of Christ through Women’s Circle and Bible Study small groups. She applied her creative gifts to the making of countless Chrismon Ornaments that were hung on the church’s Christmas tree and celebrated the Christmas season. As a loving Mother, Elsie placed her faith in God and instructed her children in the ways of compassion, tenderness, forgiveness, respect for others and the mystery of faith. She was a present and engaged participant in her children and grandchildren’s lives, for which they are blessed ten-fold. Mrs. McKinney was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, James Arnold McKinney Sr. and is survived by her children, James Arnold (Mack) McKinney Jr. (wife Mary Jane), Charles Reynolds McKinney (wife Jane), Judy McKinney Nance (husband Ron); grandchildren Melanie Leigh Torres (husband Lorenzo), James Arnold McKinney III (wife Kimberly), Justin Grant McKinney; and great grandson, Jensen Elijah Torres. She is also survived by her sister Jean Frances French Davis and honorary son and daughter Bob and Denise Whitley. The family would like to acknowledge the loving kindness of neighbors, The First Presbyterian Church Family, Anne and Mel Covington, and the compassionate care of the staff at Penn Nursing Center. Memorial contributions can be made to First Presbyterian Church, 318 S. Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320; to the Robin Whitley Scholarship c/o First Presbyterian Church 318 S. Main Street, Reidsville, NC 27320; or to Hospice of Rockingham County, P.O. Box 281, Wentworth NC 27375.